Alumni Outcomes

Joseph Cunningham

Class of 2011

Majors: English and Writing

“I
would encourage anyone to study literature with an open mind and open heart,”
says Joseph Cunningham. “Regardless of
the career path you choose, it will enrich you.”

Joseph
earned his BA in English with a writing concentration. He counts among the program’s strengths Dr.
Mary Ann Sunyoger’s writing classes.
“She has a passion for the English language and good writing. She loves
what she teaches, and that made me want to be a better writer in all the
different styles, from creative nonfiction to expository and others.”

Dr.
Justyna Braun helped Joseph understand that good literature is crucial to
forming a good writer. “Dr. Braun taught
me how to read… and about true literary analysis and art appreciation. She changed my life with one class — World
Literature,” says Joseph. “The emphasis was on good literature, not necessarily Christian or Catholic literature
with essays by writers from many different backgrounds.”

Unique
to studying English at Franciscan is the “sense of purpose, to dive deep into
literature and writing surrounded by people passionate about their faith, where
there’s a tabernacle in every dorm, and the Christian presence forms you
intellectually and spiritually,” reflects Joseph.

At
graduation time, he had an “existential crisis,” with no specific career
plans. “Then I was blessed with a ‘happy
accident’ when I met a guy with a Web development company. I became a part-time copy writer doing Web
content and blogs. I discovered I loved
content development and marketing.” He
also began to trust that God gave him particular gifts — and would find a way
to use them.

Joseph
is now a marketing assistant for Ascension Press, a leading source of
catechetical programs for Catholics, where he develops marketing campaigns,
writes copy, and manages blog and social media content. “Franciscan gave me an appreciation for art,
aesthetics, and humanities,” Joseph reflects. “I use that on a daily basis
now. In marketing, we want to share
something great and meet human needs.”

He sees his English degree as a catalyst for
building culture — and of value in any career. “Good communication and good art
are crucial to all companies and an understanding of humanity.”

ABOUT FRANCISCAN UNIVERSITY

Franciscan University of Steubenville is no ordinary university, and a Franciscan education is no ordinary education. Rather, it's an education as rigorous and demanding as it is faithful--an education that challenges you intellectually, forms you professionally, and feeds you spiritually.